Fuse box



Nov. 18 1930. w. D. KYLE FUSE BOX Filed July 16. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Zzzzrezzioz" I ZZ/z'ZZz'am Z2019: Z3 MwnWM/Wu/IUM:

Nov. 18, 1930. w, D, KYLE 4 1,781,876

FUSE BOX Filed July 16. 1929' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 kgg-fi 5 36 66 3g Patented Nov. 18,. 1930 UNITED STATES: PA E T OFFICE wnmrm'n. KYLE, or MILWAUKEE, iscons n, asslqnea Du-LINE mrnarar. oomrm, or soon: umwauxm wiscolvsm, a CORPORATION ornmawnnn Fuse 305:

Application illed J'uly 16, 1929. some in. $78.73;.

Thisinventibn relates boxes, and

the present application is a continuation in' part of my copending application Serial No. 83,563, filed January 25,1926. As pointed out in United-States Letters Patent No. 1,557,707, issued to me on October 20, 1925, experience has roven that dry process porcelain is not satis :actory for-fuse oxes,- especially -where high voltages are .m'handled. -The dielectric strength of dry process porcelain is relatively low. Dry process porcelain is relatively porous-and the walls of the boxhaveto be relatively thick. Liberal spacing of the side walls of the box from thecontacts has also been necessary.

As a result, boxes of dry process-porcelain have been bul "and cumbersomeand in addition their insulating properties have not been suitable.

current will le'akfthroughthe dry 'Iprocess walls to the cros'sarms or'fother support. Leakage and burning of the crossarms, re-

sults and a great, insidious danger has been presented. The linemen orother. workinen have been subjectto danger at all tunes" where such boxes have been employed. Dry

' process porcelain boxes have, therefore, been of little use with high voltages, and theiruse, has been confined to lower voltages;

Wet process porcelain, however, afiords much greater protection, particularly'under high voltages. Its- Fdielectric I? strength is much higher, It is less porous andis suitable;

for use with safety to linemen and workmen under much higher voltages. -Due to its greater moisture content and-greater density, which greaterr density materially. re-

tards the escape of the'moisturerin firing, it

has been found. however, that .'wet ,process porcelain is subjected to much higher internal stresses in firing than is dry process porcelain, and that it will tend to warp or has been generally consldered'impossible to construct an irregular shaped article of wet process porcelain, particularly a fuse box having an open end and with the side walls terminating and separated and thereby freed at the opening.

distort. Prior to my present invention it Heretofore it has been deemed possible to form only symmetrical articles or articles which are uniform or regular in section from wet process porcelain. To avoid the accepted unsuitability of wet process porcelain for an open end-fuse box and'ati thei'same time to obtain a measure of the advantages of Wet process porcelain my prior Patent No. 1,557,707 provides substantially round contact carrying members of wet; process porcelain embodiedas separate inserts ina fuse box IIFWhiCh the body or housing thereof is formed of dry process porcelain. Thesein s'e'rtsmake the construction more complierties -in"'the"'wa1ls there'o Where separate 20 After sucha'box has been inservlce the inserts ofthis sort are disposed ',.al orig tne backwall, for example,' the insulationof the side walls. is in no jwisefimproveii thereby, andeven that improvement, which these separate inserts provide, is inerely a, localizedv improyenient and without any" improvement 1n the insulation of the walls of the, box other than-at the wet process" inserts. Where there localized improvement.

With the foregoing disadvantages in mind,

and" particiilarl the shortcomings and limitedzutility of ry process boxes and the increased cost and relatively limited improvemer t: in insulating qualities of dry process boxes with wet process contact carrying insorts, it is an ob]ect of the present invention 7 to provide as an article of manufacture a fuse box comprising aunitaryone-piuie body of wet'process porcelain havin a wet process porcelain base or back we and unitary wet process porcelain side and top walls. The box has an open bottom and the side walls are continuous at'the 'top through the top wall and terminate and are separated and freed at the bottom of the box adjacent the opposite sides of the bottom opening. a

The side walls preferably have openlngs formed by transverse perforations and the Wet process side walls better enables the provision, ofsuch openings- The wet process side, top and back walls prevent electrical leakage-through the side and top walls as well through theback wall, and thls leakage' is' prevented without requiring the em bodiment of separate inserts, or the like. The elimination of these inserts reduces the cost, and, by thepi'esent invention, the side and top walls may be made thinner and brought closer to the contacts. This reduces the bulk or cumbersomeness of the box, saving space and porcelain.

In addition the improvement in insulation is not merely localized around the box adjacent one wall of the box bufi is extended over the entire unitary body of the box with a higher dielectric stren th in all directlons than can be obtained wit a dry process box with wet process insert s ;,lj-.

The present invention "provides a fuse box which isadapted forluse with high voltages without electrical leakage and without daner. g The invention is -illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rspective view of a mold with a complete fuse box therein, piior to its withdrawal, ortions of the mold being broken away and illustrate the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view other box embodying the present invention;

Figure 3 is a back or rear elevational view of the box shown in Figure 2';

Figure 4 is a bottom or lower end the box shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5 of ,Figure 2;

Figure 6 the . 1s a vertical section taken on tlie line 6'6 of Figure 5, the fuse member and a tion Fi ure 7 is a horizontalsection taken on ,.the hue 7-7 .of Figure 5 {and Fi re 8 is a horiz'ontal sectionthel1ne'8 8 of Figure 5. v

The fuse box illustrated in Figure l consists of side walls 5,'end wall 6 and-a rear wall 7, the open front of the box being closed by a removable door or cover, not shown, and a fuse, not shown, being securable in the box to bridge terminal members, not shown, mounted therein in an suitable, manner.

The box shown in igure 1 has enlargements or pro'ections 8 on its rear wall to mount a suite 1e support en aging member, not shown, which is secured t ereto by means of bolts-or other fasteners, not shown, set within the openin 18 therein.

In Figure 1 'o the accompanying drawin section to more clearly V trough arrangement 17, the trou of am View 'of fragment of the box being shown in eleva-' 'moval.

taken on the unitar.

invention ooks better and provides surfaces,

been deemed impossible to form of wet process porcelain.

Tw'd mating mold members 9 and 10 are provided, having their interiors shaped to conform with the interior and exterior outlinesof the box it is desired to form and the sections are guided into proper registering position and there held by two or more dowel pins 11 carried by one mold section and passed into recesses 12 in the other mold section, rings or other members 13 being connected with the upper mold section to facilitate its securement on or removalfrom the lower-section. The mold sections are formed of pluster of'Paris or other material having the ability to absorb moisture, and the top section has a pluralityof vent openings 14 therein communicating with the s ace in which the fuse box is to bev formed. wo or more large inlet openings 15 are formed in the upper mold section, preferably at the highest points of the form and the discharge spouts 16 of a funnel or trough arrangement 17 are connected as illustrated.

, Inoperation the porcelain clay is held suspended in a suitable fluid, preferably water, and the clay suspended in the fluid is introduced into the mold through the funnel or h 17 being kept filled to assure the deposit 0 the clay in the mold as the moisture content of the mix ture is absorbed by the material of which the mold sections are formed. After a period of approximately twenty-four to forty-eight hours, a completed fuse box will have been formed in the mold, the body of which is sufficiently stiff to permit its removal, the normal shrinkage o the clay from the plaster of Paris molds greatly facilitating its ready re- The fuse box, after withdrawal from the mold, is then drilled preferably after'the piece has been thoroughly dried to provide whatever openings 18 are desired, when it is then treated'by being baked or glazed, if

ishape and design. After the box has been properly cured and finished, the various ternlinalmembers and parts are secured thereto by bolts or otherfasteners cemented in the openings or recessesformed therein. In ad dition' to the advantages already pointed jout, wet process box of the present which are smoother. and which will take a better glaze.

From the foregoing, it willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that 'I provide a novel and improved fuse box formed entirely of wet process porcelain with the advantages already pointed out. w

. In the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8, in elusive, the fuse box is designated in its entirety at 35. This box is again-of irregular shape and comprises a back or rear base wall '36, side walls 37 and 38, closed and continuous or connected at the top by the top wall 39 and interrupted and separated at the bottom opening 40. The base wall 36, side walls 37 and 38 and top wall '39 constitute a unitary wet process porcelain body.

- The side walls 37 and 38, while integrally connected and, therefore, continuous around the top through the topwall 39, have their lower ends terminating and free at the oppovary. The fuse member 44 provides a mov ablebridging' member having a terminal 45 at its lower 'end and a terminal 46 at its upper end. The terminal 46 is gripped by a spring-contact jaw member 47 fastened to the inner surface of the cover 43 .and making electrical contact with the terminal 46.

A U-shaped contact 48 secured to the inner surface of the cover 43 in nested relation with the contact jaw member 47 embraces the member 47' with the legs thereof contacting with the upper. terminal 46 ofthe, fgse through the member 47 The cover 43 is hinged atits lower end by a pivot stud 50 carried by the cover 43 and pivotally engaged in openings 51 in the bracket arms 52 secured to the bottom of the box adjacent the bottom opening 40. The upper end of the cover'43 is'provided externally with a manipulating eye or ring 53 for opening or closing the cover. e I I Closing of the cover 43 engages the fuse contact 45 and the sides of the contact 48 between and electrically with stationary spring contact jaw members 54 and 55 mounted within the box, thereby bridging the contacts; 54 and 55 by the fuse 44 and placing the fuse electrically in circuit across said contacts 54 and 55. The contact jaws 54 and 55 are of generally U-shaped formation with their bases'mechanically secured to terminal members 57 and 58 by screws 70, and each in electrical contact with its associated terminal. The rear wall 36 is thickened rearwardly at 60 and opening into this rearwardly thickened portion from the inner surface 61 of the rear wall 36 are a pair of cementing recesses 62, one for each of. the terminals 57 and 58 and aligned vertically on the vertical median line of the box. Each of the terminals 57 and 58 has an intergral cementing stud 63, which studs 63 arepreferably provided with roughened surfaces and are cemented at 64 in the'ce lnenting recesses 62.

Each terminal 57. and 58 has a transverse opening 68 for receiving the bared end of the line wire from either side of the terminal. and screws 69 are provided for binding the inserted ends of the wires securely in place.

The side wall 37 of the box has an upper opening 71 leading in to the upper terminal 58 and a lower opening 72 leading in to the lower 'term-inal357. The opposite side wall .38 has an upper: opening 73 leading in to the opposite side of the terminal 58 anda lower.

opening 74 leading into the opposite side of the lower terminal 57.. These openings preferably. have well rounded edges to pernot only through either side but from any angular position, without possibility of cutting or injuring the insulation. In Figure 5, one line conductor 75 is led in through-the mltleadlng in insulated line conductors,-

top opening 71in one side of the box and ,electrically and mechanically connected with the terminal 58 and the other line conductor 76 is led in through the bottom opening in the opposite side ofthe boxand similarly connected with the terminal 57. p

The rear wall of the box is provided with a pair of cementing recesses 80 opening in-'- wardly from the rear surface 81 and mounting studs 82 are suitably cemented at 83 in these recesses. ends of .the studs 82 are threaded to be engaged by nuts 84 for fastening the device to a mounting bracket shown more or less 'illustratively at 85, or to any OtllGfSllltflble support. I

' Obviously, when the cover 43 is closed-and the fuse 44.is in bridging relation across the contacts 54 and 55, the lower end of the fuse is directed downwardly toward-the opening- The rearwardly projecting 4'0 and is disposed substantially centrally thereof. The free front edge of the unitary side and end wall structure has a marginal .flange 88 into which the periphery of the cover 43 is adapted to fit when the cover is closed, as shown 'in Figure. 6. In addition this flange 88 provides an internal outwardly directed shoulder 89 for cooperating with the" inner marginal edge 90 of the cover 43 in the closed positiontli'ereof. In this manner the cover 43 provides a relatively tight closure for the open front 42 of the box. -The brackets 52 to. which the covers are hinged are angular recesses 92 and suitably secured by screws 93 to the wet process porcelain body dry of the box at the sides of the opening 40.

IAs in the preceding embodiment, the fuse box of F igures-2 to 8, inclusive, con'ipri'ses a unitary one-piece body of wet process porcelain of irregular shape having a wet process porcelain base or back 35, 60, and unitary wet process side and top walls 37, 38 and 39 all formed in one-piece. The bottom opening 40 interrupts the continuity of the side walls 37 and b8 at the bottom of the box and separates and frees the lower ends of the side walls and the upper ends of the side walls are continuous and connected through the top Wall 39.

By means of this unitary wet process body the dielectric strength of the box is much higher, not only along the back 36, but along the side walls 37 and 38 and particularly between the openings 71, 7 2, 7 8 and 74. This -increases the dielectric strength between'the line conductors and 76 as well as between the terminals 57 and 58, and all of this increased dielectric strength and greater protection, particularly under high voltages, is obtained without the use of a round or regular .Wet process insert in a dry process-box. The insulation is materially increased ever that provided-by wet process porcelain-contact carrying members in a dry process porcelain box because the improved insulationis provided through theentire wall structure and in every direction. Electrical leakage is prevented not only through the back but through the sides of thebox and the walls may all be made thinner and brought closerto the contacts. Iiind that the present box will also take a better glaze and that smoother and more unitorin surfaces are provided and that the walls are less porous. The box stands up much better under service and is not disintegrated and all insidious danger is eliminated." I find that where the walls of process boxes have heretofore been puncture that the-walls of the present box are not punctured. s

The wet process structln'e'also better enables the provision of the openings 71, 7 2, 73' and'74 and in spite of the greater moisture content and" greater density together with the greater internal stresses in firing and cool-. ing and the'tende'ncy'to bowing in or out, or other distortion, partibularly due to the open-, ended irregular formation and I have provided a boxof this formation which is atthe same time of unitary form and of wet process porcelain throughout with which have been pointed out.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim: n Adevice of the class described comprising a fuse box adapted to be, exposed to the the advantages blowing of the fuse,

Weather for housing a high voltage fuse an d consisting of the'combination of a unitary body member comprising a back wall member from which extends forwardly an integral rim defining substantially parallel sidewalls anda top wall leaving the front and bottom open, said back member and rim being formed as an integral unitary piece of dense wet process porcelain thesam being throughout completely impervious to moisture and to metallic vapors generated by the and being non-porous throughout and of very high dielectric strength, a movable cover member loosely lit ting within the front opening, the body member having an external recess and there being secured therein a supporting member to mount the fuse box in such position that the back wall is substantially vertical, the inside of the body member having a pair of recesses and there being secured in said latter recesses a pair of contact supports, and an expulsion fuse mounted in the box and connected to said contact supports having an opening for the expulsion of metal vapors upon blowing of the fuse out through the bottom opening of the box, said sidewalls having perforations therethrough for the leading-in of conductors to the contact supports in the box.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 13th day of July, 1929.

WILLIAM D. KYLE. 

